Voters may tap senator successor

December 10, 2008

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Top Illinois lawmakers said Tuesday that they are preparing to call the Legislature into session as early as next week to set a special election, hoping to avert the possibility of an indicted governor picking the state's next U.S. senator. House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, said he is ready to convene the House on Monday to vote on a special election that would choose the successor to President-elect Barack Obama. The move follows the arrest of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was taken into custody early Tuesday and accused of seeking money or other favors to influence his choice in picking Obama's replacement. Illinois Senate President Emil Jones said he would also call senators back for a special session. The governor, who faces fraud and bribery counts, was freed on $4,500 bail. Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., urged the state House and Senate to settle on a special election that could withstand a Blagojevich veto. "No appointment by this governor, under these circumstances, could produce a credible replacement," Durbin told reporters in Washington. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., made similar remarks and called for a process to fill the vacancy that does not involve Blagojevich. The charges against the governor, Reid said, "are appalling and represent as serious a breach of the public trust as I have ever heard." Special elections are costly, Durbin acknowledged, but it might be coupled with a special election that will be needed to replace Rep. Rahm Emanuel. The Chicago Democrat will resign his seat soon to become Obama's White House chief of staff. The Constitution requires House vacancies to be filled by elections. Senate vacancies can be filled by appointment.